Rosh Hashanah, the celebration of the Jewish New Year, has begun. It includes 10 days of repentance leading up to the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement.

Jews believe Rosh Hashanah represents, either figuratively or literally, the creation of the World, or Universe. Rosh Hashanah meals usually include apples and honey, to symbolize a sweet new year. It is said in the Talmud that on Rosh Hashanah the means of sustenance of every person are apportioned for the ensuing year and so also are his destined losses.

This time New Year comes at a time of political uncertainty in Israel, with the Palestinians seeking recognition of an independent state at the United Nations. Meanwhile the UN Security Council has forwarded Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's request last week for UN membership to the committee on new admissions.

The United States has vowed to veto the measure in council.

In order to recommence the negotiations Palestinians have asserted that Israel will have to call for a complete stoppage of construction in the West Bank which as per them is essential to make certain that a Palestine State is feasible.

The standing of Israel is that it is willing to officially accept the concept of Palestinian state provided the borders are left as in the present situation which will mean that West Bank and Jerusalem will be under its control. Its claim for this approach is that with Israel controlling the border there will be lesser need to fear the penetrative missile attacks by the militant groups, which the Palestinians are completely unwilling to accept.

The Palestinians have the possibility of approaching full U.N. General Assembly in the scenario of the US vetoing the resolution. Recognition of Palestine as a non-member state can be given by U.N. General Assembly. If this happens the Palestinians will be gaining access to international bodies, which will include the International Criminal Court, from where it will be able to seek legal action to be taken against Israel for the occupation of the West Bank for so many years.

It was nearly a year ago that talks between Abbas and the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which were supported by the U.S, failed with Israel declining on an extension of partial moratorium on West Bank settlement building.

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